ANTenna Blog -- Storage

The major hardware suppliers, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM, understand the growing importance that storage solutions play in the enterprises. Consequently, they have been trying to outdo one another with a spate of high profile announcements.

The latest came from IBM, which unveiled a tiered storage infrastructure that features integrated data security and enhanced archiving features to meet emerging compliance requirements. The N7700 and N7900 models allow for improved scalability for large scale data center operations as well as storage consolidation for large open system enterprises and mid-market clients. The new systems support up to 1,176 Terabytes of capacity for complex data center storage needs. The N7000 series enables customers to consolidate SAN and NAS storage needs in a single system that supports primary, near-line, regulatory compliant data retention and archival storage in a single platform.

While other vendors have been touting the IP based iSCSI storage solutions, IBM continues to promote it Fibre Channel architecture. The IBM System Storage SAN768B supports Fibre Channel as well as emerging Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) connections. The storage system supports 8 Gigabit per second (Gbps) data transfer rates over Fibre Channel (FC) links. The SAN768B features interoperability between b-type (Brocade) and m-type (McDATA) directors in an 8 and 10 Gbps global enterprise FC SAN infrastructure.

The new devices are expected to start shipping in April. While IBM has been a key supplier of storage solutions, its products have been focused a bit more on large enterprises than on small and medium businesses. Prices for the products start at $100,000 and can quickly rise to $250,000, which may be out of the price range for many small and medium businesses.

Related stories: HP
Dell